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David McKeown/staff photos
Evan Wagner, 5, of Frackville, sprays water on a watermelon seed he planted in an orange drink carton Saturday at the Early Childhood Fair in the Fairlane Village mall. St. Nicholas preschool was showing children different ways they can recycle used cartons.

Children and their families came out to the Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville, on Saturday for the Early Childhood Fair.

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the activities gave children something to do and let their parents know about the different childhood opportunities for their young ones.

The event was sponsored by the Local Interagency Coordinating Council, a group of parents and providers involved with early intervention services for children.

Judging by the responses from those who filled out surveys afterward, the results were mostly positive.

Participants could check boxes that said awesome, fun, okay and needs improvement. Many of the those who filled out the surveys said the event was awesome or fun.

Alretta Schwenk, service coordinator for the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Early Intervention Program and a member of the LICC, said 18 organizations participated in the event.

Shay Strencosky, 4, of Port Carbon, was scooping dirt into a small milk container after putting seeds and water in it. He took the container home to watch the seeds' progress.

"He likes playing in dirt," said his mother, Jennifer Strencosky, 33.

Lynn Werez, preschool teacher at St. Nicholas School, Minersville, said the activity was so children could learn about Earth Day, which is Monday.

Haden Wagner, 8, of Frackville, and his brother, Evan, 5, both had positive things to say about the event.

"It was cool," Haden said.

When asked what he liked about it, Evan said, "All of it."

At another table, Bryson Nagle, 1, used a glue stick with help from his father, Bob, to put colored dots on a piece of paper with a picture of a dog.

"He's having tons of fun," said Jessica Nagle, his mother.

Bryson Nagle even tried to share his Fruit Loops with some stuffed dogs at one of the tables.

Children also listened as Darren DeArment, children's librarian with the Pottsville Free Public Library, read "Where the Wild Things Are."

"I'm happy to read to one kid. I'm happy to read to half a dozen," he said.

Jen Harding, Schuylkill Haven, was at the event with her daughter, Josie Bendle, 4.

"We've been to this before. We know how great it is," she said.

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